Can You Have Sex With UTI? Understanding Risks and Precautions
By Dr. Shubham Pandey +2 more
Medically reviewed by Dr. Shubham Pandey
Last updated: Apr 17, 2024Click to rate this article!
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By Dr. Shubham Pandey +2 more
Medically reviewed by Dr. Shubham Pandey
Last updated: Apr 17, 2024Table of Contents
Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) are often due to bacteria invading your urinary system. You might feel an ever-present urge to urinate or a fiery pain when you do urinate. Also, a sharp, dull pain in the lower stomach might occur. In this article, we will discuss how sexual intercourse affects an individual with UTI. We will also touch upon how to safeguard yourself and others in this situation. Lastly, we will answer some frequently asked questions regarding this topic.
Did you know?
A UTI is when any part of your urinary system gets infected. This system contains your kidneys, bladder, ureters, and urethra. Most times, it’s a bacterium known as Escherichia coli (E. coli) which causes the infection. This bacterium dwells calmly in your gut. But, if it ventures out into your urinary system, it can give you a UTI.
The common causes of a UTI are as follows.
The most common symptoms of UTI are as follows.
If you ignore a UTI, it can turn into a kidney infection. This severe infection can bring extra symptoms. These include high fever, chills, vomiting, and severe pain in the back or stomach. It’s vital to check with a healthcare provider if you think you have a UTI. This will help you get the right management.
Researchers have found that a UTI may originate from the fingertips. Every time you contact a surface, bacteria and other microorganisms might stick to your hands. When you use the restroom or engage in sexual activities like fingering or masturbating, you may unintentionally introduce bacteria into your urethra. I recommend you to consider hand washing both before and after using the loo or having sex.
Dr. Siddharth Gupta, MD
Now, some people are more likely to get UTIs than others. Below we will discuss few factors that increase your risk of getting a UTI.
Your healthcare provider may advise antibiotics to combat a UTI effectively. The medicine used depends on how bad the infection is and which bacteria is causing it. Here are some types of antibiotics that could be used.
In addition to the suggested drugs, it is advised to drink lots of water. You may also take over-the-counter pain relievers. For example, ibuprofen or paracetamol. These steps may ease symptoms and speed up healing. However, if you are suspecting a UTI, you must consult your healthcare provider to decide the right management options for you.
In my experience, mild urinary tract infections may heal on their own. But, the majority of UTIs require antibiotics to resolve. If you have a UTI, you must take antibiotics by consulting the doctor.
Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS
In theory, yes, you can have sexual intercourse when you have a UTI. However, it’s wise to avoid it until the infection is entirely gone. This is because the act could make your symptoms worse, or lead to new bacteria entering your urinary tract.
There are some dangers and challenges of having sexual intercourse with a UTI. These are discussed below.
Sexual intercourse can irritate already tender tissues of the urinary tract. This could worsen pain and unease.
During sexual intercourse, bacteria from the skin or other parts may be pushed near or into the urethra. This could introduce new bacteria, making the infection worse.
UTIs are not sexually transmitted infections, that’s true. But during sexual intercourse, there’s a low risk of passing the UTI-causing bacteria to your partner. Using barriers like condoms and practicing good hygiene may lower this risk.
One could decide to be physically intimate despite having a UTI. If so, make sure both you and your partner are up for it. Be mindful of any changes in pain or discomfort. Communication with your partner is key.
In my opinion, one of the most effective strategies to help keep UTIs at bay is to practise good cleanliness. This is particularly critical if you are a woman since due to the shorter urethra, E. Coli finds it easy to return from your rectum into your body. To avoid this, always wipe after a bowel movement (pooping) from front to back.
Dr. Smita barode, B.A.M.S, M.S.
If you have a UTI or tend to get it often, being careful before and after sex may help. This reduces the chances of the infection getting worse or if it is happening again in the future.
Pay attention to your body. If it is showing major pain or discomfort you might want to avoid sexual intercourse until the UTI is managed, and all symptoms subside.
Make it a routine to urinate before and after sexual intercourse. This pushes out bacteria from your genital area. It also reduces the odds of them from entering your urinary tract.
Keeping good personal hygiene may lower the chance of having more bacteria during sexual intercourse. This is especially true for areas where bacteria may be hiding.
Bathing the genital and anal areas before and after sexual intercourse may reduce the risk of spreading UTI-causing bacteria.
Make sure to wash sex toys well, before and after each use. You can use a soft cleaner or warm water and mild soap.
Avoid changing from anal to oral or vaginal sex without washing up first or without getting a new barrier. Doing so could spread bacteria from one place to another, raising UTI risk.
Open, honest talks with your partner are needed. Discuss your UTI symptoms, the risks of having sexual intercourse while dealing with a UTI, and your preferences in bed.
Also Read: Sexual Frustration: Exploring Causes, Symptoms, and Potential Solutions
If you’re troubled about UTIs, don’t hesitate to seek professional advice. This is especially true if you have persistent or worsening symptoms, UTI symptoms after sexual intercourse, or repeated UTIs. Also, consult your healthcare provider on how best to avoid and manage UTIs.
If your UTI symptoms persist or get worse even after management, call your healthcare provider. You might need another antibiotic course or a check for other hidden health issues.
If frequent UTI symptoms develop after sexual intercourse then measures taken to avoid it are not working and seeking help from your healthcare provider is warranted. They can suggest other strategies.
Regular UTIs call for a closer look at your urinary system. Your healthcare provider may do extra tests to find out if there’s an underlying issue causing the recurrent infections.
Your healthcare provider can advise steps to avoid future UTIs. These may include changes in personal hygiene and sexual habits. Also, the use of drugs if needed may be recommended.
Several myths float around about UTIs. That’s why it’s vital to separate the facts from the fictions.
People often mix up UTIs and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). This happens because both may result from sexual activity, and some symptoms overlap. But there are important differences between the two. Though both cause pain, discomfort, and changes in frequency of urination, UTIs occur usually due to the transfer of bacteria from the anal or vaginal region to the urethra and less often may get transferred to the sexual partner. While STIs are always transferred from one person to the other via sexual contact.
Both men and women can get UTIs, and similar factors lead to a UTI in both. Sexual intercourse raises UTI risk, but so do things that aren’t linked with sex. For example, bad hygiene or a block in the urinary pathway.
You may take many steps to lower your odds of getting UTIs and to better handle existing ones. These are described below.
Stay clean by bathing regularly. Also, keep your genital area clean and always wipe from front to back after using the toilet.
Drink lots of fluids, mostly water. This helps to wash out bacteria from your urinary system.
Barriers like condoms may help stop bacteria from getting into the urethra during sex.
Change birth control methods if you notice a pattern of UTIs with spermicides or diaphragms. These can shift the bacterial makeup of the vagina and raise UTI risk.
Postmenopausal women should consult their healthcare provider about estrogen-replacement therapy as it might help. Falling estrogen levels can change your urinary tract and increase the UTI risk.
Dealing with UTIs can be tough. They can cause discomfort and sometimes pain. But, with the right care and attention, they are usually manageable, and avoidable. While you might decide to put having sex on hold during a UTI, understanding how sexual intercourse and UTIs are connected may help you lower your risk of future infections. Remember to stay clean, take precautions during sexual intercourse, and reach out to your healthcare provider if you face persistent or repeat UTIs. By staying informed and active, you may enjoy a full, healthy sexual life whilst avoiding discomfort of a UTI.
UTI symptoms may show up within 24 hours after sexual intercourse.
It’s best to stop sex until you’ve finished your antibiotics, and all symptoms are gone. This helps to avoid making the infection worse or bringing in new bacteria.
Eliminating the UTI risk entirely is tough. But good hygiene and by using condoms may cut down the chances of getting a UTI after sex.
Some UTI and STI symptoms can be similar. But, more significant signs of an STI are itching in the genital area and unusual discharge. If you’re not sure, your healthcare provider can give you a correct diagnosis.
If both you and your partner have UTIs, it’s better to stop having sex until both of you have completed your antibiotic course and are free from symptoms. This might lessen the chance of infections from getting worse.
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